Auto Finance

February Sales Fall 1.4%, Autodata Reports

March 6, 2014
• by Staff

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Harsh winter storms continued to impact new-vehicle sales, which fell 1.4% from a year ago to 1.19 million units, according to Autodata Corp. The seasonally adjusted annual rate (SAAR), however, was even with the rate recorded in February 2013 at 15.34 million units. However, the sale rate was up slightly from 15.24 million in January. The following is a breakdown of sales performance by manufacturer:

BMW: The BMW Group reported a 4.4% decreased in February sales vs. one year ago, with sales totaling 24,476 units. On a year-to-date basis, sales were down 1.2% from a year ago on sales of 45,272 units in the opening two months of the year. BMW Brand Sales increased 3.3% from a year ago to 22,017 units. On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 6.5% to 40,270. Sales for MINI USA dropped 42.8% from a year ago to 4,302 units sold. On a year-to-date basis, sales were down 37.3% on volume of 5,002 units.

Chrysler: Chrysler Group LLC reported its best February sales since 2007, with sales increasing 11% from a year ago to 154,866 units. The Chrysler (up 1%), Jeep, Ram Truck (up 26%), and FIAT (up 5%) brands each posted year-over-year sales gains vs. a year ago, with Jeep posting the largest gain of 47%.

Six Chrysler Group vehicles set sales records in February, including the Jeep Compass, Patriot and Wrangler. The Chrysler 200 and Dodge Journey also logged their best ever February, while the Ram pickup truck posted its best February in eight years with a 26% sales increase. Additionally, sales of the all-new Jeep Cherokee rose 12% vs. one year ago.

Ford: February sales for the domestic automaker fell 6% from a year ago to 183,947 units. Retail sales totaled 125,919 units, a 4% decrease from a year ago. Officials noted a late-month sales surge, which they hope means good things for March. One bright spot was the company’s F-Series truck line, which realized its best February in eight years. Sales of the pickup truck totaled 55,882 units.

Led by the MKZ and MKX, Lincoln sales increased 36% from a year ago to 6,661 units. February marked the fifth straight month of positive sales for Ford’s luxury brand. And over the last five months, Lincoln sold 34,476 units, a 26% increase over the same period one year ago.

General Motors: The domestic automaker reported a 1% decline in sales vs. a year ago, with the company delivering 222,104 vehicles in February. On a month-to-month basis, however, sales increased 30% thanks to the company’s Olympic advertisements.

The Chevrolet Sonic, Cruze and Malibu posted double-digit sales increases, while the Cruze realized its best February to date. Deliveries of the Corvette were up 149% from a year ago. As for Cadillac, the brand’s CTS sedan helped drive a 7% increase in retail sales for the CTS range, while sales of the SRX were up 23% from a year ago.

Sales of the Buick Encore nearly doubled, while Enclave and Equinox realized their best February sales ever. Additionally, deliveries of the GMC Acadia were up 2%.

Honda: American Honda reported a 7% decrease in sales from a year ago, with sales totaling 100,405 units. Bucking the trend were Acura light trucks, with sales increasing 29.8% from a year ago to 7,482 units.

The company’s Honda division recorded sales of 88,860 units, with the Accord, Civic and CR-V (up 0.1%) each recording sales of more than 20,000 units in February. Odyssey sales increased 4.6% to 8,945 units.

Hyundai: Sales for Hyundai Motor America decreased 6% to 49,003 units in February. On a month-to-month basis, however, sales were up 11% from January. Despite the tough month, two of brand’s smallest cars, the Accent and Veloster, realized a sales increase of 20%, while sales of the company’s two SUVs, the Santa Fe and Tucson, were up 12% from a year ago.

Mazda: The automaker reported February U.S. sales of 24,431 vehicles, a 2.4% decrease from a year ago. Year-to-date sales through February were down 6.7% vs. last year, with 43,155 vehicles sold. However, theMazda6 experienced its second-best February since 2008 with 3,945 vehicles sold, a 46% increase from a year ago. The CX-5 realized its best sales month ever, with sales increasing 71.6% to 9,355 units sold. The company also reported that its SKYACTIV Technology accounted for 83.2% of all vehicle sales during the month, the largest percentage sold in one month.

Mercedes-Benz: The German automaker reported sales of 24,971 units for the month of February, a 3.8% increase from a year ago. This was the highest volume on record for the month, officials noted. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone achieved record February retail sales of 22,609 units, a 2.65% increase from a year ago. On a year-to-date basis, sales rose 1.5% to 45,213 units.

Sales were the led by the brand’s C-, E- and M-Class model lines, with sales totaling 5,612, 4,271 and 3,258 units, respectively. At the high end, sales of the all-new 2014 S-Class flagship model jumped 93.8% to 1,789 units.

Mitsubishi: The OEM reported a 1.2% dip in sales from February 2013, with sales totaling 5,977 units. On a year-to-date basis, sales were up 1.3% from a year ago. Sales of Mitsubishi’s core models (Outlander Sport, Outlander, Lancer, and Mirage) were up 8.9% in February and 12.7% on a year-to-date basis. Realizing the biggest sales increase was the Outlander Sport, with sales up 42.8% from a year ago.

Nissan: The Japanese automaker reported a 15.8% increase in February sales vs. a year ago, with sales totaling 115,260 units — a record total for February. Sales of the all-electric Nissan LEAF also set a February record, increasing 118.2% to 1,425 units. Also setting a new monthly record was the Rogue, with sales rising 72.6% to 17,197 units. The Nissan Juke also recorded its best monthly sales total, with sales rising 111.7% to 5,791 units.

Infiniti reported sales of 9,729 units in February, an increase of 6.4% vs. one year ago. Sales of the all-new Infiniti Q50 luxury sports sedan totaled 3,275 units, while overall sales of Infiniti sports sedans, including the Infiniti G37, rose more than 14.4% for the month.

Toyota: Toyota Motor Sales reported a 4.3% decrease in February sales vs. one year ago, with sales totaling 159,284 units. Toyota division sales were down 5%, totaling 140,429 units. Lexus sales increased 8.7% from a year ago to 18,855 units.

By model, the Toyota Camry posted sales of 29,000 units, while sales of the all-new Corolla totaled more than 25,000 units. The RAV4 realized its best February sales, with sales increasing 23% from a year ago. Also realizing its best-ever February sales month was the all-new Highlander, which posted a 30% sales increase from a year ago. As for Lexus, the IS and GX posted triple-digit sales gains, while sales of the GS were up more than 42%. The Lexus RX posted sales of more than 5,600 units.

Volkswagen: February sales for the German automaker were down 13.8% from a year ago to 27,112 units delivered. This was due, in part, to the winding down of outgoing models and the fewest number of selling days for the year, officials noted. Volkswagen’s TDI Clean Diesel models accounted for 16.8% of sales in February. Total Jetta deliveries accounted for 11,908 units of Volkswagen’s February sales total, while sales of the Passat totaled 6,997 units.

Audi sales just about mirrored last February’s sales totals, with 10,881 units sold. Leading the way was the company’s luxury SUVs, with the Q7 posting a 33.6% sales gain from a year ago. Sales of the company’s luxury sedans also stayed strong, with the A6 posting a sales increase of 27.2% vs. one year ago. Sales of the R8 were also up 40% vs. a year ago.

Porsche realized a 15% boost in sales over this time last year and a 2% increase on a year-to-date basis. The automaker realized its all-time best February, with 3,232 units delivered. The Cayenne continued to be the automaker’s most popular model with 1,260 sold units.

Wantalease.com analysts report relatively flat lease pricing across most major brands, but increases on several popular models should give dealers enhanced latitude for holiday weekend lease discounts.